KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Low-pathogenic H5 avian influenza has been confirmed at live-poultry markets in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the Univ. of Minnesota reported.

The disease events in Kings County, New York, and Pennsylvania were reported July 1, according to EMPRES, the global animal disease information system operated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Kings County encompasses the New York borough of Brooklyn.

Additionally, Japan Agricultural Communications (JAcom) reported that Japan has stopped imports of poultry meat within a 10-km. radius of the affected site.

Speaking to CIDRAP, Joelle Hayden, a public affairs specialist with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Dept. of Agriculture, said animal health officials are conducting trace-back investigations and testing at markets that have epidemiological links to the affected birds. The types of birds involved were not specified in the FAO notices.

The New York Assembly recently extended a ban on issuing licenses to live animal slaughter businesses located within a 1,500-ft. radius of a residence in New York City. New York has roughly 80 live poultry markets.